Thursday, April 29, 2010

News From Nigeria- Maurice Iwu Sacked

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday directed the Chairman of the Independent National Commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu, to proceed on a pre-disengagement leave.

The directive to Iwu, whose passport is believed to have been seized by the State Security Service, takes immediate effect.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, explained that the Acting President acted in line with Section 155 (1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution.

The section stipulates that the chairman and members of INEC should hold office for a period of five years. Iwu is due for retirement in June.

Niboro's statement added that the Imo State-born electoral umpire, was also ordered to hand over to the most senior National Commissioner in INEC, pending the appointment of a new chairman for the commission.